Lisa Bunker author
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ALMOND, QUARTZ AND FINCH by Lisa Bunker

Earlier this year, I featured Joy, to the World, a book that Lisa Bunker co-wrote with Kai Shappley, and when I heard the premise of ALMOND, QUARTZ AND FINCH I couldn't wait to feature it as well. The book is out today, November 7, 2023.   The…
Elly Swartz author photo
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HIDDEN TRUTHS by Elly Swartz

Elly Swartz is definitely a Middle Grade author to watch. I featured her book Dear Student, and she has published other novels as well. Her upcoming book, HIDDEN TRUTHS (10.31.23) has received starred reviews from School Library Journal and…
Photo credit J. Samphire
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THE RAVEN THRONE by Stephanie Burgis

I'm always delighted by Stephanie Burgis's writing as well as her engaging characters and whimsical world-building. When I featured the first book in this series, The Raven Heir, Stephanie mentioned she was penning a sequel, THE RAVEN THRONE.…
Out of the Fires cover
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OUT OF THE FIRES: A JOURNAL OF RESILIENCE AND RECOVERY AFTER DISASTER by Carrie Lara

I've featured Carrie Lara's picture books before, including Marvelous Maravilloso and The Heart of Mi Familia. Carrie's newest book, OUT OF THE FIRES: A JOURNAL OF RESILIENCE AND RECOVERY AFTER DISASTER, is very much needed. It not only helps…
Jennifer Baker author
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FORGIVE ME NOT by Jennifer Baker

I met Jennifer Baker at a writing retreat and I always thought she had such beautiful writing. Her debut YA novel, FORGIVE ME NOT, is not only both captivating and engaging,  it also offers an informative and critical lens into juvenile justice…
Evelyn Skye head shot high res
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THE HUNDRED LOVES OF JULIET by Evelyn Skye

I've been honored to feature Evelyn Skye's YA books Circle of Shadows and The Crown's Game. When I heard the premise of her new fantasy for adult readers, I couldn't wait to feature it. THE HUNDRED LOVES OF JULIET explores the nuances of love,…
Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko
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DOGTOWN by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko

I've interviewed both Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko before, and when I heard they had co-written a book, I couldn't wait to feature it. DOGTOWN is a new Middle Grade novel set to debut on September 19, 2023. Dogtown is a shelter…
Emily Barth Isler author photo
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AFTERMATH by Emily Barth Isler

I first heard about Emily Barth Isler's Middle Grade book AFTERMATH in a Children's Lit newsletter I get from Sharon Levin, and I immediately fell in love with the premise. Emily also has a book coming out next year called The Color of Sound,…
Nikki Shannon Smith
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Girls Survive: Lena and the Burning of Greenwood: A Tulsa Race Massacre Survival Story by Nikki Shannon Smith

I last featured Nikki Shannon Smith back when her book The Amazing Life of Azalea Lane came out. She now has mulitple books, including a Middle Grade Historical Fiction book in Girls Survive series, called LENA AND THE BURNING OF GREENWOOD,…
Natasha Yim_Adler Boncher Creative
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LUNA’S YUM YUM DIM SUM and other books by Natasha Yim

I met Natasha Yim at the Green Gulch Creative Writing Retreat through SCBWI SF North & East Bay which occurs twice a year. At the retreat, I read a few of her books, and wanted to feature some of them below:   On Luna's birthday,…